Case against Charkaoui at risk as evidence withdrawn

The federal government's case against a Montreal man accused of terrorist ties could be on the verge of collapse.

The government has withdrawn evidence against Adil Charkaoui, saying that disclosing some information related to the case would endanger national security.

The surprise move could scuttle the whole proceeding.

In a submission to Federal Court, the government said the rest of its evidence is too weak to support a national security certificate to deport Charkaoui.

However, the government is still arguing Charkaoui shouldn't be allowed to stay in Canada.

Charkaoui called on the judge hearing his case, Justice Daniele Tremblay-Lamer, to"go inside, deeper and deeper in my file, and to find the truth."

"They're playing with my freedom, with my rights," he said. "I'm really upset by this behaviour."

The federal government wants Tremblay-Lamer to suspend cancellation of the security certificate for seven days, so it can request the Federal Court of Appeal maintain the current conditions of Charkaoui's release.